IMUNON, Inc. announced positive six-month data from its Phase 1 trial of IMNN-101, a DNA plasmid vaccine based on the company's proprietary PlaCCine technology platform, showing superior durability compared to mRNA vaccines in targeting the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron XBB1.5 spike antigen variant. The clinical-stage biotechnology company will present these proof-of-concept results at leading vaccine conferences as it seeks strategic partnerships to advance the novel technology.
Phase 1 Trial Results Demonstrate Enhanced Immune Response
The Phase 1 trial results, announced in May 2025, showed IMNN-101 induced up to a 3-fold median increase in serum neutralizing antibody (NAb) titers from baseline at six months following a single dose. The data revealed initial evidence of a stronger immune response in the two higher dose cohorts (2.0 mg and 1.0 mg) compared to the lower dose cohort (0.5 mg).
Importantly, IMNN-101 was shown to be safe and well tolerated throughout the study period, with no serious adverse effects reported. The vaccine demonstrated better durability of protection compared to mRNA vaccines after a single dose, representing a significant advancement in DNA vaccine technology.
Strategic Conference Presentations Planned
IMUNON's leadership team will deliver oral presentations highlighting the IMNN-101 results at two upcoming vaccine conferences. Dr. Khursheed Anwer, Executive Vice President and Chief Science Officer, will present "A promising novel approach to DNA vaccines" as a keynote presentation at the 5th Edition of International Vaccines Congress in Orlando, Florida on October 23, 2025.
Dr. Douglas V. Faller, Chief Medical Officer, will present "Development of a PlaCCine DNA Technology for Safe, Effective and Durable Vaccines" at the 10th International Conference on Vaccine Research and Development in Boston, Massachusetts on November 6, 2025.
PlaCCine Technology Platform Advantages
The PlaCCine platform offers several unique advantages over conventional vaccine technologies, including enhanced durability, temperature stability, and scalable manufacturing capabilities. These characteristics position the technology to address unmet needs in vaccines for both infectious diseases and cancer applications.
IMUNON is developing its non-viral DNA technology across two modalities. The PlaCCine platform is specifically developed for gene delivery of viral antigens that can elicit strong immunological responses, while the company's TheraPlas modality focuses on gene-based delivery of cytokines and therapeutic proteins for solid tumor treatment.
Partnership Strategy and Development Pipeline
To accelerate development and commercialization of the PlaCCine platform, IMUNON is actively seeking strategic partnerships with leading pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. These collaborations aim to leverage the platform's advantages while securing non-dilutive funding to advance the company's broader oncology-focused pipeline.
The company's lead clinical program, IMNN-001, represents a DNA-based immunotherapy for advanced ovarian cancer treatment that has completed multiple clinical trials, including a Phase 2 trial (OVATION 2) and is currently conducting a Phase 3 trial (OVATION 3). IMNN-001 works by instructing the body to produce cancer-fighting molecules such as interleukin-12 and interferon gamma at the tumor site.
IMUNON has completed dosing in the first-in-human study of IMNN-101 as a COVID-19 booster vaccine, demonstrating the company's ability to advance plasmid DNA technology across multiple therapeutic areas to serve patients with difficult-to-treat conditions.
